The European Parliament is expected to give its assent on Tuesday, which would remove another hurdle towards a simpler, cheaper and more effective system to manage 60,000 patent applications a year across the 27-member EU. The new system should be in place by 2014, with the cost of filing patent applications falling progressively from around 30,000 euros ($39,000) to 5,000 euros, the EU executive has said. The minister's green light was secured on an "enhanced cooperation" basis, a procedure that allows a coalition of willing countries to proceed without those which are opposed.
Spain and Italy objected to a provision that the new patents would be in three languages only - English, French and German. Madrid and Rome have challenged the plan in the European Court of Justice and on Tuesday its top official is also due to give a legal opinion on their complaint.